i also want to note the presence of former secretary of hud alphonso johnson -- off onto jackson and if you would please stand and let us recognize you. [applause] it's my honor to turn the podium back to senator george mitchell. >> six years ago when howard baker tom daschle and i came together to establish the bipartisan policy center through the initiative of jason coombe may, we were dismayed at the extent to which our political process appeared to be in gridlock as a consequence of excessive partisanship and ideological posture. that concern remains and it is heightened today. and american politics has been rough. i frequently cite the example of the presidential campaign of 1800, when jefferson supporters called president adams a hermaphrodite lacking they said the strength of a man or the gentleness of a woman. adam supporters responded that the murder rape and robbery would be taught and openly practice in our country. it was rough we thought when we were there but it has gotten much rougher and tougher today. we at the bipartisan policy center and the members of this commiss